Vulcain Trophy gets underway tomorrow

Grand Prix Les Ambassadeurs kicks off Swiss D35 catamaran circuit

The D35 catamaran competitors are awaiting the start of their annual competition, the Vulcain Trophy which kicks off tomorrow with the Grand Prix Les Ambassadeurs, presented by Business & Decision, held out of the Societe Nautique de Geneve and runs until Sunday. 

The format for this event will include many short, sharp races with 18 scheduled each lasting 20-30 minutes if the weather allows. This new race format has been announced to increase the suspense with courses and will include a gate to windward instead of a single mark. Instead of always leaving the weather mark to port, the boats now will have the freedom to pick either thereby increasing the tactical possibilities and avoid the single file that can occur when with just one weather mark.

Spectators are invited to enjoy the breathtaking show of the racing machines in action, from the northern pier, while making the most of one of the most beautiful terraces in Geneva, situated in the splendid surroundings of La Nautique.

Many of the top names will be competing this weekend including Pierre-Yves Jorand, Tanguy Cariou, Yves Detrey or Niels Frei on Alinghi, Eric Monnin and Damien Cardenoso on Grange & Co, Fred LePeutrec on Zen Too, Paul Cayard on Artemis Racing team, Christian Wahl and Jean-Pierre Ziegert will be on board De Rahm-Sotheby's, Boris Lerch is back on Veltigroup, Olivier de Cocatrix with Fred Moura on Nickel, and the new crew on Ladycat with Yann Guichard calling tactics.

In 2011, the young team from the Centre d’Entraînement à la Régate surprised everyone by winning the first event of the Vulcain Trophy ahead of Alinghi and Artemis Racing. The young guard are back this year competing on Realstone.